Hull City are planning to step up their pursuit of highly-rated Aberdeen defender Scott McKenna this week as Nigel Adkins seeks a timely breakthrough in the January transfer window.

City’s opening offer for McKenna was rejected Saturday and a second bid turned down yesterday , with the SPL side adamant their centre-back would not be leaving Pittodrie this month. That stance is unlikely to deter the Tigers, however, as they look to bolster a defensive line desperately short on numbers for next season.

McKenna, 21, has been identified as a hot prospect after breaking into Aberdeen’s first team this season and City are not yet willing to look elsewhere in their quest to sign a new central defender ahead of the transfer deadline in just over two weeks.

Adkins has made it clear he is planning for the long-term in his recruitment drive this month and admitted on Saturday that McKenna “had a big future in front of him”. City are also tracking several wingers to strengthen their attacking options, but have so far met with frustrations during a window that has yet to see the Tigers do any business in or out of the club.

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Saturday’s 0-0 draw at home to Reading kept City firmly in relegation trouble, a point above the bottom three ahead of travelling to Sunderland this weekend, but Adkins intends to keep a measured outlook in the second half of the window.

“There’s a bid on the table (for Scott McKenna) and there’s several things we’re doing behind the scenes,” he said.

“I’m very happy with this group of players but we’ve got an opportunity to bring in the players we feel can improve us. I don’t want to sign someone just for the sake of it.

“That’s maybe why some clubs find themselves in certain situations and taken someone they might not need at that moment in time.

“We won’t panic. We need to bring in a couple of players and we’re working very hard to do that.

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“It’s been highlighted that bids are on the table and we believe we’re looking in the right areas for players we need to strengthen.

“Time will tell if we can do that but the budgets have got to be right. The players have got to want to come as well.

“Maybe a player you look to target will think ‘Maybe I can go and join this football club as I can get promotion to the Premier League now’ rather than going to Hull City at the wrong end of the table. It’s a balance and finances can dictate that.”

McKenna is part of an Aberdeen squad due to return from a warm-weather training camp in Dubai today. The 21-year-old has previously spent time on loan with Ayr and Alloa but has blossomed with his hometown club in the SPL this season.

Dons manager Derek McInnes does not intend to lose any of his players this month as they sit second in the table in between Celtic and Rangers, but an increased offer from City would test that resolve.